Don't be fooled. Inside this thin coating of sweetness is a fiery core of total insanity.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Back In The Saddle Again

I've been absent from the blogosphere for a couple of months. Did you miss me?

I've taken short breaks from blogging in the past, not usually for longer than two weeks or so, and it's always hard to get going again. In the winter it can be hard to come up with topics to write about, but I can almost always find something, even if it's just "My Garden Puts the Ugh in Ugly." During the winter months, with our short, dark, wet days here in the PNW, it can get depressing too, which really saps your energy.

After eating like a pig for two weeks at Christmas (OK, that's a lie, it was more like 4 months of unhealthy chowing-down), I was determined to get healthy for the New Year, a goal that was very short-lived, not because of a lack of will power, but because my body got rebellious on me.

I got sick. A visit to the doctor resulted in two possibilities -- it was either a stomach ulcer or gall stones. After a couple of tests, we had a diagnosis.

I had both.

Long story short, after a couple of weeks of massive doses of antibiotics, the ulcer got better. And the gall bladder full o' stones got yanked out through a tiny hole in my abdomen. I'm getting better now.

Anyhoo. Here are some pretty pictures of flowers.

Hella large Hellebore

A variety

Erysimum

Black pussy willow

Forsythia 'Fiesta'

Hepatica

Primula veris

Hope you're having a better year than I have been. I've got a lot of catching up to do.

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For your entertainment here is Aerosmith singing Back In The Saddle Again...

i'm so glad to hear you're mending well. I hope Ronin was a warm and entertaining companion during your convalescence! That violet-colored erisimum is lovely. I keep looking for colors that aren't the common blaring yellow, but don't see a lot of the more subdued hues around. Did you grow that one from seed?

Alison, I'm glad to see that the Bonney Lassie is back! May the year bring you continued improvements in health and wellbeing. I've been battling pollen allergies since Christmas, when cedar pollen blew in from the Hill Country. The last weekend in February, the oak trees got me and then I got a blast from wine country pollen when we were there last week. Pfui on this, let's both get well!

Welcome back, and yes, of course you were missed! So glad you're on the mend - so to speak. An Aerosmith fan though, that I never would have guessed! (oh...and is that "Hella large Hellebore" yours? It's magnificent!)

I did miss you! But I figured you were cuddled up inside waiting out the winter cold in the pleasant company of your new cat. I didn't envision you in the grip of some nasty physical ailments. I'm glad you're feeling better. I'm sure the garden also missed you ministrations but your plants are still beautiful!

Well, sometimes you just need to stop and take care of yourself. I know snuggling with your new kitty helped your recovery, and you got to know each other better. Your garden didn't seem to miss a beat. That hellebore is something! WOW.

I'm sorry to hear you were sick, and needed surgery. I will also picture you snuggled up with your cat for comfort. That is an amazingly large double hellebore, so pretty! A double is on my list, hopefully I can get one this year. All the hellebores look pretty together, especially the doubles, and the Hepatica is such a lovely purple. Your Primula is ahead of mine. Welcome back!

It's nice to see your posts again Alison! I hope you are done with health problems for this year or even a decade! No more!Your Hellebores... amazing! I hope we'll have a break with weather soon. Yesterday, in rain, I got out and cleaned my potting bench and did some other garden chores. Spring is moving fast...

Wow you got a double-whammy. I'm glad you're feeling better. By the looks of the recent weather, apparently Nature thinks you require a bit more down time. Fortunately your gorgeous hellebores have fended quite well despite your absence. Take care!

He's hoping it's onwards and upwards from here on in Alison. Glad to read you are on the mend and what a lovely way to welcome us back into your garden. Lovely images - that Hellebore at the top of the page is stunning.

Gardening is a solitary activity. But blogging about it is a social phenomenon! I don't make money from my blog by advertising, or use it to drive customers to a business. If you liked my post, or my writing or photography, or even just one picture or turn of phrase, I'd love to hear from you. That's how I get paid.

Garden Bloggers Fling Denver Colorado

About Me

My husband and I moved here to Washington state in the Fall of 2008, after more than 25 years living in the same house in Massachusetts. We lived in a rental house here for about a year, and have now bought a house, in August, 2009.
I want my blog to chronicle the process of turning our new yard into the garden of my dreams. One reason I was interested in moving to Washington was for the great gardening. A dream come true!